Monrovia, January 18, 2025 — The Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC) has issued a series of penalties and directives to St. Joseph Catholic Hospital following an investigation into the tragic death of 21-year-old Isaiah B. Williams. The inquiry uncovered operational lapses, malpractice, and licensing violations, prompting sweeping reforms and fines.

The investigation revealed that the patient’s mother had intentionally reduced his age from 21 to 16 during admission to secure medical care under her insurance, which had an age limit.

Complications arose after Isaiah received anesthesia administered by a nurse anesthetist, resulting in a severe reaction that ultimately led to his death. The lead surgeon, Dr. Thaddee Ngoy, was unable to proceed with the surgery due to these complications. As the only trained CPR practitioner in the operating theater, Dr. Ngoy attempted to resuscitate the patient. However, his efforts were hampered by non-functional equipment, preventing the proper management of the critical resuscitation phase.

In response to these findings, the LMDC issued the following penalties:

1. Dr. Thaddee Ngoy: Fined USD1,500 for practicing with an expired license as of December 31, 2024. He is required to complete a three-month CPR course and Continuing Medical Education (CME) during the same period.
2. Nurse Maima: License has been suspended for six months due to her role in the administration of anesthesia that led to complications. During her suspension, she will work under the supervision of a designated anesthesiologist.
3. Nurse Rachel: Ordered to undergo formal training in triage, pre-operative anesthesia review, and hand-over procedures while serving a one-month suspension.

The hospital itself has been fined USD30,000. Of this amount, USD5,000 is allocated for Isaiah’s burial expenses, while USD25,000 is to be paid to his mother as compensation for emotional distress. The payment must be made within two months from January 17, 2025.

Additionally, the LMDC has mandated the immediate suspension of all surgical procedures at the hospital until critical safety requirements, including functional anesthesia machines, are met. Staff in emergency and critical care areas must undergo CPR training within three months. The hospital is also required to hire a full-time anesthesiologist within one month to oversee patient safety protocols.

Other directives include:

Contracting a biomedical technician to ensure regular maintenance of medical equipment within three months.

Establishing a Level 2 or Level 3 ICU within one year, subject to LMDC verification.

Conducting an assessment of staff skills and implementing in-service training programs.

Ensuring all medical staff have updated certifications and licenses.

These measures aim to address the lapses that contributed to Isaiah’s death and to prevent future tragedies. The Council expressed sympathy to the family for their loss, strongly condemned the errors leading to the death, and emphasized the importance of accountability and patient safety in healthcare delivery.